Scotland ‘A’ scored five tries and produced a five-star performance at Netherdale to comprehensively defeat Tonga 38-7 in front of a vocal crowd of 3,976 and head coach Sean Lineen admits he was proud of his team’s display.

Full-back Jim Thompson contributed 14 points (try, penalty and three conversions) on the night while man-of-the-match Greig Laidlaw, Ben Cairns, Hugo Southwell and replacement Mark Robertson also crossed the whitewash in Galashiels.

Lineen highlighted a number of individuals for stand-out performances, but stressed the sizeable win was a team effort.

Lineen said: Lineen said: “What a fantastic game of rugby played in front of a great crowd – it was a really productive night.

“It was our aim to show how many of these guys are pushing for selection in the Scotland side and in that respect it was a great success.

“I thought Ben Cairns was outstanding at 13, but it was a great team effort. Jim Thompson showed some nice touches at 15, Greig Laidlaw had a really good game and Hugo Southwell played well; both at 10 and later at 15.

“I can’t complain with the 38-7 scoreline.”

In front of a sizeable Netherdale crowd, Scotland ‘A’ started the match in a buoyant mood and, after producing numerous phases deep in Tongan territory, deservedly took an early lead through Laidlaw.

A penetrating attack was finished off when Thompson popped up an off-load and Laidlaw swept through from close range to score with the full-back adding the extras.

The second try arrived on the 22-minute mark and Cairns breezed his way through the Tongan line with ruthless precision before laying on a pass for Thompson who charged through at pace to score before notching another conversion.

Thompson, an ever present during the Nations Cup success in June, was playing his first professional match of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

His kicking from hand was first class and his goalkicking was flawless – he added another penalty just after half-time – apart from one uncharacteristic miss.

Cairns then relinquished his role as provider and turned poacher as he linked up with Robertson, on as a replacement for Nikki Walker (dead leg), to score a well-worked try.

Southwell – back in his favoured full-back position following Thompson’s second half withdrawal – then surged forward to score to make it 31-0 with nine minutes remaining.

But Robertson – selling more dummies than a persuasive mannequin salesman – side-stepped his way through to score Scotland’s final try of the evening with five minutes remaining.

Colin Gregor, on for Thompson and replacing Southwell at stand-off, scored the final two conversions.

Scotland ‘A’ had kept the visitors scoreless until the final act of the game when Alipute Fatafehi scored a breakaway try – racing through with Thom Evans narrowly preventing him from dotting down – and Kurt Morath scored the conversion.

Tries: Laidlaw, Thompson, Cairns, Southwell, Robertson
Penalty: Thompson
Conversions: Thompson (3), Gregor (2)

Scotland ‘A’: Jim Thompson (Edinburgh); Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh); Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Allister Hogg (captain, Edinburgh).

Replacements: Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh) for Lawson, Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors) for Welsh, Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh) for Gray, Roddy Grant (Edinburgh) for Brown, Mark McMillan (Glasgow Warriors) for Laidlaw, Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors) for Thompson, Mark Robertson (Edinburgh) for Walker.

Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo; Pierre Hola, Suka Hufanga, Sefa Vaka, Manu Ahotaeiloa, Kurt Morath, Kilifi Fangupo; Poaloi Tuala, William Hafu, Mosese Moala, Paino Hehea, Emosi Kauhenga, Set Filo, Ueleni Fono, Samiu Vahafolau.

Replacements: Sione Vaiomounga, Peni Fakalelu, Lisiate Faaoso, Opeti Fonua, Mahe Fangupo, Alipate Fatafehi, Samiuela Satui.